He actually did the screaming. Honestly, that’s the first thing you need to know. Most voice actors for Dead by Daylight survivors are actually metal singers because they have the lung capacity to shriek for eight hours without shredding their vocal cords. But when Behaviour Interactive offered Nicolas Cage a soundalike for the "exertion noises," he shut it down immediately.
"There's never been a Nic Cage soundalike, and we're not going to start today," he famously said. He took off his jacket, walked into the booth, and gave them pure gold in twelve seconds.
Nicolas Cage in Dead by Daylight isn't just a skin or a licensed character from a movie like Michael Myers or Ghostface. It’s actually him. Or, well, a version of him that got sucked into the Entity’s realm while filming a movie in a creepy cave. It's meta. It's weird. It’s perfectly Cage.
Why Nic Cage is a "Distraction" Character
If you’re playing Cage like you play Meg Thomas or Claudette Morel, you’re doing it wrong. He isn't a stealth character. He is loud. Like, really loud. His entire kit is designed around high-risk, high-reward plays that basically beg the Killer to chase you.
Some players call him an "Ineffective Trickster Tank." You draw the Killer’s attention with goofy antics, pray your perks don't screw you over, and usually end up on a hook while your team finishes the last two generators. It’s a selfless way to play, even if it looks like you're just messing around.
👉 See also: Stuck on the ties the knot crossword clue? Here is why it is trickier than it looks
The Perks: A Gamble in Every Match
His three unique perks—Dramaturgy, Scene Partner, and Plot Twist—changed the game’s meta in 2023 and still cause chaos in 2026. They aren't "safe." They are theatrical.
Dramaturgy is the one that makes you run with high knees. It’s hilarious to watch. You get a 25% haste boost for two seconds, but then a random "effect" kicks in. You might get a rare item. You might scream for no reason. Or, you might get the Exposed status, meaning the Killer can down you in one hit.
I’ve seen survivors use this to get a clutch toolbox at the last second. I’ve also seen them use it and immediately go down because they got Exposed right in front of a Blight.
Scene Partner is pure fan service. Whenever you look at the Killer while inside their terror radius, you scream. This reveals the Killer’s aura to you. There’s even a 50% chance you’ll scream again, extending the aura reveal. It’s basically "Object of Obsession" but with more yelling.
Then there’s Plot Twist. This is the one that confuses new players the most.
The Mystery of the "Dead" Body
If you see a Nicolas Cage lying on the ground in the middle of nowhere, do not touch him. Seriously. Just walk away.
Plot Twist allows Cage (or anyone using the perk) to silently put themselves into the dying state. Why would you do that? Because if you recover yourself fully, you stand up completely healed and get a massive 50% haste boost. It’s a "better self-care" that doubles as a way to hide.
- Silent Recovery: You don't make grunts of pain.
- No Blood: You don't leave pools of blood for the Killer to track.
- The Haste: That 4-second speed burst is enough to make it to a safe loop.
The problem is teammates who don't read the perks. They see a downed survivor and rush over to "help," effectively wasting the Plot Twist and potentially bringing the Killer right to you. If a Cage is shaking his head "no" while on the ground, leave him alone. He’s fine. He’s just acting.
How to Actually Win as Nic Cage
You have to embrace the chaos. If you’re trying to sweat for a four-man escape, there are better survivors. But if you want to have the most memorable match of the night, you go with the legend.
- Pair Plot Twist with Resilience. Since you’ll be spending time injured to activate Plot Twist, you might as well get that 9% speed boost to your repair and vaulting actions.
- Use Dramaturgy for Items, not Chases. Unless you’re a loop god, using Dramaturgy mid-chase is a death sentence if you roll "Exposed." Use it early to fish for a Ranger Med-Kit or a Commodore’s Toolbox.
- Scene Partner is a Scouting Tool. Use it to track the Killer's exact movement around high-wall loops. Knowing exactly when they double-back is worth the occasional scream.
The P100 Secret
For the real dedicated fans, hitting Prestige 100 with Nicolas Cage unlocks a secret voice line in the lobby. It’s a small nod to the "completionists" who have spent hundreds of hours in the fog. Most characters just get a bloody shirt; Cage gives you a performance.
The Cultural Impact on the Fog
Before Nic Cage, Dead by Daylight was leaning heavily into serious, gritty horror. He brought a sense of levity that the community desperately needed. He isn't a "joke" character in terms of power—Plot Twist is a legitimate A-tier perk in the right hands—but his presence reminds everyone that this is a game.
People often ask why he joined. It wasn't just a paycheck. Cage’s family are huge Dead by Daylight enthusiasts. He saw it as a way to branch out into a new medium and "fuse" with his audience. When you play as him, you aren't just controlling a puppet; you're carrying the energy of a man who once bought a haunted mansion and a dinosaur skull.
To master Nicolas Cage, you have to stop playing scared. Run at the Killer. Scream at them. Fake your own death. In the world of the Entity, the only thing more powerful than a sacrificial hook is a really, really good performance.
✨ Don't miss: Pokemon Lets Go Maps: What Most Players Actually Miss
Your Next Steps:
- Check your perk loadout: Ensure you aren't running "No Mither" with Plot Twist, as it negates the healing benefit.
- Practice the "High Knees": Test the timing of Dramaturgy in a bot match to see how much distance you actually gain before the random effect triggers.
- Watch the floor: Next time you’re in a public match, pay attention to the downed icons; if there was no scream and it's a Cage, let him cook.